Toxic Spill over the Danube [Austria and Hungary]

[Austria]

October 7, 2010. Budapest, Hungary

Roderich stood in front of the cozy-looking cottage that stood near a rather large field of grass. Behind him was a nice view of the Hungarian capital, Budapest. It was an admirable view of the city but he notes how much it changed over the years. A growing suburb now occupied what used to be rolling farmlands that once surrounded the old capital. At least, it seemed like the city had been mostly spared from the disgusting Soviet architecture from the Stalinist era, though not entirely, sadly enough.

He quickly shook his head. He was distracted again and he was already late as well. A few hours ago, he was at Győr to inspect to report on the toxic spill that happened a few days prior. He came there alongside the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) to report on the damages. Truthfully, he only decided to go with the U.N. body was because he had been insanely worried for the past few days. Not about the spill since his part of the Danube would be unaffected by the spill but because of… her. As much as he tried to deny and hide his worries, he couldn’t help it. Elizaveta had called him, asking if he could see her with a pain-stricken voice that almost made him panic. To be honest, the word ‘panic’ could be used to describe how he’s been feeling for the past few days. Then again, it wasn’t so obvious considering his near-constant appearance of calmness. Austria had been watching the news for a few days. At first, he thought that the damages would be minimal and it wouldn’t affect the Hungarian too much. Suddenly, he began worrying when she declared a national emergency. The recent phone call from her only made it worse.

The two of them couldn’t really see each other as much as they would like to for various reasons and thinking that the ICPDR’s report would be the perfect excuse if anyone asked why he was out of the country, he set off for his eastern neighbour after packing a few things for a short trip. First, he set off for Győr, not too far from the border between the two countries. He stayed only for a short time for the formalities with the Danube commission and quickly continued his trip to Budapest. Sadly, the trip ended up taking twice as long as he absent-mindedly wandered the countryside. When he realised how distracted he was, he mentally scolded himself as he could have gotten lost. Sadly enough, he was already lost, but that was beside the point as he eventually found his way to Hungary’s place, where he is standing in front of now.

Mentally scolding himself once more, Austria walked to the cottage. He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to knock or to simply go inside. He decided on the latter since she was bed-ridden, after all. He quietly walked inside, only to be scolded about his lateness by the nurse that was most probably taking care of her before his arrival. After apologizing quickly and having a brief talk with the nurse, she left the house. Apparently, she was now in his charge. Not that he was complaining. Austria sighed in relief as he quietly made his way to her bedroom. As he reached her door, he gently turned the doorknob, slowly and quietly opening the door, trying to keep it from creaking too loudly as he didn’t want to wake her up if she was sleeping.

[Hungary]

*photo by Kaosshojo

The pale, slender woman sat propped up against the headboard of her bed, hacking and coughing into a handkerchief. Her once vivid green eyes now dim and beset with dark circles. She felt like Hell or worse and had been bed ridden for several days now. Though despite being weakened considerably by the giant wave of Toxic Sludge that flowed through several of her villages, her anger alone gave her a small bit of strength to sit upright and mull over events that had transpired.

A half-eaten sandwich and empty glass sat at her bedside, a manila folder opened on her lap, papers and other documented information she had received since declaring a state of emergency were spread all over the bed spread. She poured over files. Keeping up with the progress as the EU and other organizations went to work cleaning the red sludge and repairing some of the damages. She kept watch as her Prime Minister Viktor Orban had Zoltan Bakonyi arrested for negligence in the matter. She had been beyond angry how someone could be so careless for being cheap. Ecosystems had been killed and threatened and there were several citizen deaths, it should never had happened and she would see this injustice paid for in full.

Her body shook as she was wracked with another fit of coughs, hacking up mucus and bile, her eyes watered a bit as she tried her best to breathe normally. She had managed to call her ex-husband before she had become bedridden and asked to see him. In all honesty she was a bit frightened at what more damage this environmental disaster could hold and she just wanted to be near him again, hear his voice. Though they had been reunited after the fall of the Iron Curtain. His Neutrality and her rebuilding of her now free country had kept them both busy and apart. Though every now and then they would visit each other or spend an evening together, a lovely dinner or a night out to Symphony or Cinema, a night spent in each other's arms. Though divorced, she had never stopped loving her husband, and even to this day cherished the moments they could find together even if it was just in passing in the hall during a world meeting, the brush of hand and arms followed by the brush of lips. Silent understanding that they were in an unusual position, yet willing to continue as best as they could. She had remained devoted to him all of these years and as long as he wished it she would continue to do so.

She glanced at the clock at her side. The nurse had informed her that Roderich had called when he had reached Gyõr and would be over mid day...he was late. She worried then, what if he had gotten lost. The poor dear, she wouldn't have the strength to find him if that were the case, maybe she could call for the nurse to bring her a phone so she could attempt to call and....

She tensed as she heard the front door open and hushed voices speaking Hungarian in the hall. Could it be? A smile touched her lips as she relaxed against the headboard. It must've been Roderich, so he had made it alright. She felt her heart speed up a bit, it had been awhile since she had seen him and she had missed him terribly. She frowned when she realized she probably looked awful and briefly wished they could see each other in her better moments, but a part of her yearned to see him again, just have him near her. Already the thought lifted her spirits.

She heard footsteps down the hall and looked up at the door as they stopped there, she saw the slow turning of the knob and the door swing open to one of the most welcoming sights she could ever imagine. Her lovely Austrian, her darling man, a smile touched her pale rose lips as her gaze met his.

"Szia Roderich!" Her voice was scratchy "Úgy örülök, hogy látlak kedvesem" (Hungarian: I'm so glad to see you darling)

[Austria]

Suddenly tensing up a bit at the thought of his dearest Elizaveta, Roderich slowly and quietly entered his ex-wife’s bedroom. He knew that he was late but he thought that it wasn’t an excuse not to be careful. He allowed himself a gentle smile at the sight of her. She was visibly paler than usual and her dim green eyes certainly made her look much less cheerful than she usually was, for obvious reasons. She looked more… frail than usual. That was saying a lot about the usually strong Magyar that was now bedridden and sick. Yet, even if she looked like a complete mess, she was still extremely beautiful to his eyes. Sure, she was pale and sick, but he did not truly feel a change on her beautiful radiance he always felt near her. Then, after a moment of watching her, a sense of protectiveness suddenly kicked in for the Austrian as his worries were eased at the sight of the lovely Hungarian, the worries and longing replaced by the desire… need to take care of her.

Longing… As their encounters grew fewer and fewer, the feeling of longing was probably the least bearable of the feelings he felt recently. Even though they had separated a long time ago and had spent the entirety of the Cold War completely thorn apart from each other, he had hoped that the loneliness and longing would be gone as the Cold War ended. Sadly, although it could never become as bad as it was back then, it seemed to cling to him so far. Their encounters were few and sporadic. He cherished the time she stayed over his place after a European meeting. As his place was some sort of gateway to the rest of Europe for her, he had felt the strong desire to help her to recovery ever since she left the Warsaw Pact, to the point that he lent quite a significant amount of money to her, completely going against his notorious frugality. Although this was true for all the nations that used to be part of the Habsburg Empire that were part of the Eastern Bloc, Hungary certainly was the most significant of the borrowers. This amount, however, put him into dangerous economic grounds. Nonetheless, even with the recent recession and even shakier grounds, he was still more than happy to help her.

"Szia Roderich! Úgy örülök, hogy látlak kedvesem" she said in her native tongue as he snapped from his reverie. Even though her voice was scratchy and pain-stricken, it felt very reassuring to hear her voice again.

“Szia szerelmem.” he said in her native tongue. “It is very nice to see you once again.” He admitted, his smile still present. Austria gently closed the door behind him as he stepped inside her bedroom. He slowly walked to the bed, his eyes still fixed on Elizaveta as he sets his bag on the chair by the bed. After a moment, though, he noticed all the documents spread all over her bed. He frowned and crosses his arms, his gaze turning back to her.

“Elizaveta, you really should have rested more instead of worrying about all of that.” He scolded. He was able to stop himself from scolding her any further as he realised how annoying he must have sounded a moment ago. He let out a sigh, uncrossing his arms and sitting on her bedside as close to her as he could from there. He scooted closer to her before wrapping his arms around her slim waist and pulling her in a gentle embrace, resting his head on her shoulder. He refrained himself from tightening his hold on her as if he was afraid to break her. He knew that he could never hurt her with a hug, but he wanted to be gentle with her, hoping to sooth her.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was just insanely worried about you and your health.” He admitted as he murmured softly. He hoped to be able to sooth her as he gently traced random shapes on her back. It probably wasn’t much help for her, but he still hoped that she enjoyed the little he could do for her.

---

Notes~
- “Szia szerelmem.” is Hungarian for "Hello, my love."
- Around 64% of Austria's GDP is lent to the countries that were in the Eastern Bloc and, earlier, in the Habsburg Empire. Most of that is lent to Hungary. D'awww.

[Hungary]

“Szia szerelmem.”

She smiled at the sound of his voice, already a welcome sound. She pushes some of the papers from her lap she had been going over, shuffling them around to make room for him to sit as he approached. She looked up at him as he set his bag aside. Offering him the best smile she could muster, though she felt ill, but at least the worst of it had passed.

“Elizaveta, you really should have rested more instead of worrying about all of that.”

She frowns a bit but she realizes that he is merely concerned, looking up and meeting his gaze "I can't help it dear..." she began, shifting a bit under the covers "I just.... There's just so much eating my mind. I just can't believe something so careless as this happened. It could've been prevented and it just angers me.... I want to punish whoever is really responsible for this! I..." she breaks off as she is attacked by another fit of coughs. She covers her mouth with her kerchief until it subsides and she leans back against the headboard with a frown. She moves her legs as Roderich moves to sit on the bed, the weight of his presence soothing and she manages a small smile as she reguards him with a dim green gaze. She responds pleasently as he gathers her into his arms, wrapping her arms around him tightly and burrying her face in his shoulder. She sighed against the fabric of his coat, breathing in the smell of him. So familiar and soothing to her.

"I'm so glad you came. I missed you so much and I....I just wanted to see you..." she murmured against his shoulder, unwilling to let him go after being apart for quite sometime.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was just insanely worried about you and your health.”

"No don't be" she was quick to reply as she pulls back slightly to rest her brow against his. Admiring his amethyst eyes as she peered into them lovingly " I know you meant well." She relaxed as he caressed her back, finding it very comforting indeed. After a few moments of just reveling in his presence, she gently pulled back and leaned back against the head board, but still clasped his hand in hers.

"How long do we have?" she couldn't help but frown a bit as she asked this, but she knew their bosses, people, and positions kept them apart more othen than she would like. However she would take whatever time he could spare her, even if she was too sick to fully enjoy it, it still was nothing compared to the longing in her heart.

"I understand if you don't have long....but I'd like you to stay...would it be alright love? For a few days?" she didn't want to sound like she was begging, it seemed weak to her, but she was sincere and she hoped he could read it in her voice, though hoarse.

[Austria]

"I can't help it dear... I just.... There's just so much eating my mind. I just can't believe something so careless as this happened. It could've been prevented and it just angers me.... I want to punish whoever is really responsible for this! I..."

She never changes, he thinks, inwardly smiling. “It’s fine, dear, I understand your anger against the ones who are responsible but please, calm down. I really want you to rest, and you should really let someone else do the work. I could take care of it if you will allow me too.” He offers. As much as he dislikes filling paperwork, it would be worse for him if she had to do it, especially considering how she is at the moment. She needed to rest and she will as long as he’s here.

"I'm so glad you came. I missed you so much and I....I just wanted to see you..."

“Me too, dear, seeing you reassures me greatly. I’m very glad to be here myself, as we barely see each other anymore…” he sighed a bit sadly at his statement. He was still trying to resist the urge of tightening his grip around her. She was still sick, after all, and he needed to control himself until she could recover, as much as he longed being with her.

"No don't be. I know you meant well."

Roderich simply smiled at her, gazing into her dim, yet lovely emerald eyes. He could stay like this for so long, and he really did not want to let her go right now. He had been so worried, but he was so happy that only his simple presence was making her feel better. It was strange, to say the least, but it definitely made him feel better as well. He was happy as long as she was.

He frowned a bit as she leaned against the headboard. He didn’t feel as much of her warmth like this and changed his current position. Austria slid to her side and lied down on the bed next to her. He kept his hand on her back, still caressing it soothingly but brought his free hand to her opposite cheek, caressing it gently as well. He gently pulled her closer to him, wanting to feel her warmth once again and placed her head against his chest in a loving, yet somewhat-protective manner. He cherished the moments they had like this one. They had become so few and scattered that it was getting really painful for him, as much as he hid it. At the moment, all he wanted is for Elizaveta to recover and to spend some time with her, knowing that it would take a long time before they could see each other again afterwards, but he didn’t want to think about that for now.

"How long do we have? I understand if you don't have long....but I'd like you to stay...would it be alright love? For a few days?"

He knew his lover quite well to know that, deep inside, she was begging. It was said in the same voice as when she had called him earlier. “A few days at the very least,” he began, his voice soft and gentle, “I’m hoping to be able to stay three or four days. I might be able to convince my boss to stay a bit longer with you.” He gave her another smile, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Things are very calm back at my home after the Presidential Elections. I doubt my boss will need me.” The Austrian wanted to cheer her up and he hoped that this news would. He knew that they both longed each other. All the time they spent apart from each other were getting more and more painful as time went on, and these times were becoming more and more frequent. Sadly, both of them had to control their feelings and cherish the little moments they had together.

[Hungary]

She smiled as he pulled her down next to him sliding easily under the covers. She peers at him with a vivid green gaze as he caresses her cheek. Sighing as he draws her into his chest, her eyes mist as she holds onto her lover tightly, the long nights of seperation and longing rearing it's ugly head finally. She truely realized just how much she missed him and she couldn't help but let the tears flow. There was no shame to this...it was all so overwhelming.

“A few days at the very least, I’m hoping to be able to stay three or four days. I might be able to convince my boss to stay a bit longer with you. Things are very calm back at my home after the Presidential Elections. I doubt my boss will need me.”

"Thank you... I would love that..." she murmured between sniffles "I'm sorry darling...I'm just...a bit overwhelmed. It's been a long time" she wipes at her eyes trying to compose herself. She had always hated looking so weak, but she couldn't help the way she felt. "How was your trip?" she tried to change the subject to more casual chat "I hope you didn't have any problems" she knew her ex husband had a terrible sense of direction and would sometimes get lost, even though he had visited her many times. She couldn't help but worry even if he didn't like her fretting over it.

[Austria]

Roderich frowned as he felt her tears on his caressing hand and his strong and beautiful lover sniffling in his hold. Suddenly, he was fighting his own tears from rolling down his cheeks. Not only did the realisation of overwhelming longing come to him as well, but the sight of his lovely Elizaveta in tears was simply heart-shattering. However, he is able to fight back his tears, believing that a gentleman simply does not cry in front of a lady and that he felt the need to look strong to her; that he’s able to take care of her despite the sadness in the air.

"Thank you... I would love that... I'm sorry darling...I'm just...a bit overwhelmed. It's been a long time." she said, her voice filled with sadness but also relief. The Austrian bit his lower lip. It was already hard for him to fight the sadness that was starting to overwhelm him, her sad-sounding murmur and her sniffling was far from helping. Though he noticed that she was trying to calm down and he couldn’t bear to see the tears on her rosy cheeks. His head leaned closer to her and he began to kiss away her tears. Hungary had always been a strong woman but, like him, she had emotions that she sometimes couldn’t control as much as she would like. He never had many chances to do this since she always found that crying was a sign of weakness, he knew that, but he couldn’t help but enjoy the feeling of his lips against her soft cheek as he kissed. “I understand, Hun, it’s alright…” he murmured softly. As much as he wanted to tell her to stop crying, he thought better to let her spill out her emotions that they both were forced to hold down.

"How was your trip? I hope you didn't have any problems"

He smiled, despite knowing what she was implying. Well, it wasn’t like nobody knew that he had a terrible sense of direction. He was notorious for it by now. “It went well, do not worry. However, I did… uhm… wander off for a moment when I was on my way from Győr,” he admitted, sighing a bit as he felt his usual shame after getting himself lost. “I do not mind, though. It felt very good to see the countryside once more. It is such a beautiful country here, in all honesty.” he teased, a small smile appearing on his lips. It was far from uncommon for him to (not-so) subtly slip in some compliments to her when he could. She would probably get it right away, after all. Then again, he couldn’t help it. She is very beautiful and although he was always uncomfortable in showing his love for her in public, he had no such problems when they are alone.

When silence settled back between the loving couple, Austria shifted a bit on the bed to make sure that she was comfortable on his chest as he started to press a few kisses on top of her head. The hand that was caressing her cheek earlier now had grabbed one of the locks of her hair that usually flowed down over her breasts and began to twirl it around his slim fingers. If there was anything he missed as much as feeling her warmth in his arms, it was the feel of her very long and soft hair. Elizaveta had such stunning hair, after all. It was very long, had a beautiful and radiant colour, and had a silky texture that he simply loved to play with. Sometimes, he would remember how he would wake up to the sight of her, asleep with her arms tightly around his waist in a protective manner, her head resting on his chest as if it were a pillow, her hair sprawled over the two of them as if it was a silk blanket, while the morning sun shined on her skin. He can’t help but smile at the blissful memory. Even if he knew that it was unlikely that it would happen again, he decided to think about how wonderful it was then, and not the fact that they weren’t officially together anymore.

“Would you like to stay like this for longer… or would you like me to play you a song?” he asked, murmuring softly as his hand was still playing with the same lock of hair. “I have brought my violin. Perhaps you would find it soothing?” he offered. Roderich knew that she could never resist music, especially not something he would play. Then again, he didn’t want to force her since, perhaps, she simply wanted to relax in the warmth of his arms and his body. He wasn’t sure if the sound of a violin would be soothing at all due to her illness either. Making her feel worse was obviously not an option.

[Hungary]

“It went well, do not worry. However, I did… uhm… wander off for a moment when I was on my way from Gyõr, I do not mind, though. It felt very good to see the countryside once more. It is such a beautiful country here, in all honesty.”

Her lips curved into a bright smile, a touch of color to her cheeks "Yes it is quite beautiful..." she teased back with a soft chuckle, closing her eyes and nuzzling her face into his chest, finding soothing comfort in his touch as she always had. She stirs a bit as she feels him shift under her and smiles warmly at the touch of his lips on her head. She opened her eyes to see him toying with her hair and is reminded of memories long past. Lying in each others arms as sunlight begin to light the room in it's gentle glow. She had been at such peace back then and briefly wondered if she would ever be able to have years like that again with her love.

She saw him smile, lost in his thoughts and she wondered if he was having the same memory. They suffered silently, but they understood how each other felt. They knew each other so well that it was inevitable, but there still wasn't much they could do...at least not now. She snapped out of though as she hears her ex husband speaking once more.

Would you like to stay like this for longer… or would you like me to play you a song? I have brought my violin. Perhaps you would find it soothing?”

She smiled up at him lovingly. As much as she enjoyed the closeness between them she would be thrilled to hear him play. It was rare nowadays when she could hear his music and it was always a treat when he offered to play for her. To her it was the true window to his soul, which was what lured her to him during her time as a servant in his house.

"If you wouldn't mind dear....I'd love to hear you play." she toyed with the collar of his coat, her eyes seeming to have gained back a bit of their luster. Just his presence alone had done wonders for her and she was very appreciative.

[Austria]

"If you wouldn't mind dear....I'd love to hear you play."

That is all Roderich needed. At least, that’s what he though. Even though he nodded after she said that, he found himself unwilling to let her go. He simply loved the warmth that had settled between the couple and he enjoyed the feeling of her body in his arms. Eventually, he slowly and very reluctantly pulled out of her loving embrace. Before standing up, he tried to reach his bag without having to leave her comfortable bed, sighing as he quickly realised that he was out of reach and that he was forced to stand up. He slowly and lazily stood up and walked towards the chair where he had put down his bad. He quickly pulled out the case of his violin and opened it, taking out the beautiful instrument from its clean case as well as the violin’s bow. He turned to her and gave her a gentle smile as he closed the case, unwilling to let any dust intrude the perfectly-clean case as stuffed it back in his bag. He quickly walked back to her bedside and settled himself next to her on her warm bed. He gave her another smile before turning his back to her. This probably was the only true inconvenience with the violin: There wasn’t really a way to have her snuggling against him as he played or else he would hit her with either his elbow or the violin’s bow. However, she could cling to his back without any danger.

“Forgive me, but I truly do not want to cause you any pain as I play.” he reminded her, not wanting her to think that he is turning his back to her in a mean way. He knew that the two of them get quickly absorbed into the music and both of them would be too focused on the music instead of being careful. He was speaking by experience, such accidents truly happened before between the two until they found a way for him to play the violin without fear of hurting her while she could get close and comfortable with him.

So, when the two were finally in a comfortable position on her warm bed, he began to play. At first, he played a short little melody to ensure that the instrument was properly accorded. Afterwards, he proceeded in adjusting the strings before playing another melody. When he determined that the violin sounded good, he proceeded to play one of his own compositions for the violin. Usually, he would play something by Franz Liszt, a Hungarian composer. Elizaveta adored a lot of his compositions and it was usually easy to please her with the music made from one of her past citizen. This time, however, he decided with one of his own. There was not really any reason for it; it’s just what he felt like playing at the time.

As he continued played, there were only two things he was focusing on: His music and the warmth created by his close lover. He allowed a blissful smile to appear on his lips despite being lost in his music. He pictured Elizaveta behind him, looking much happier than he does. The melody suddenly yet gracefully changes to something more upbeat and happy. Music had always been his medium to express his feeling and, therefore, the music he played matched his feelings. He never really noticed that, but it wasn’t too hard for someone that is listening closely to figure that out. Hungary would nearly always figure out how he’s feeling and sometimes even confronted him about it. He wasn’t sure was more amazing: The fact that his music matched his feelings so well or the fact that Elizaveta was listening closely enough to be able to ‘decrypt’ his music. Austria wasn’t complaining. In fact, he was quite happy that his lover understood him so well.

[Hungary]

“Forgive me, but I truly do not want to cause you any pain as I play.”

She chuckles and shakes her head. "Oh Roderich you're so silly" she smiles warmly as she watches him turn his back to her, though she was appreciative for his concern. As he settles himself she slowly scoots over on the bed and leans in close, resting her head on his back. The fabric of his coat was smooth against her cheek as she rested against him, her hand pressed gently against his shoulder blade. She moved with him as he started to play, her eyes closing as she focused on the music that sprung from his fingers.

She didn't recognize the piece and figured it was one he composed on his own which she enjoyed even more as it was music that sprang from his soul. Roderich had always been so composed, but he let himself free with his music and she had always been entranced by the way he expressed his emotions that he usually kept hidden from the world around him. She felt a smile play upon her lips, she had always felt blessed that she was witness to this beautiful flow of emotions that came from the heart and soul of her lover and never would she take such privilege for granted.

Already the music had done wonders for her, she felt better than she had in weeks. She seemed to sink into his back, her body relaxing fully as it rocked with his while he played. After a few brief moments, she began to hum along with the music, her soft voice melding perfectly with the notes. They had done this many times before and she felt such peace humming and singing along with his music.

"It's beautiful darling..." she murmured to him softly as she continued to hum along.

[Austria]

"Oh Roderich, you're so silly."

The Austrian scoffed, though he had a playful grin on his face as his head turned slightly towards her. “Well, excuse me, darling. The silly one is trying to play a song that should take the gloom off your face.” he teased, his violin-playing seemingly uninterrupted despite having already started to play his composition.

Eventually, he was finished playing his composition. So far, it seemed that he was highly successful: He could feel a blissful smile against his back, as he had imagined earlier, and she was leaning much closer to him than she was when he had started. He even heard her humming and suddenly, he wanted to beg her to start singing. Roderich always though she had the loveliest voice and that she had a wonderful singing voice, despite her own opinions. However, he knew that she was sick and so he would have to wait and content himself with her soft and cute humming. However, his smile widened slightly as he was struck with a little idea.

“Dear, I’ll continue playing if you promise to sing alongside my playing once you recover from your sickness.” He murmured as he had finished his tune. His head turned towards her as he asked the question for a moment. However, without waiting for an answer (as if expecting her answer), his head turned away from her once more and he began to play another tune. He started to play another one of his own compositions. However, after a few moments, the song transitions seamlessly to a different one, then again. The song slowly turns into a medley of a number of his compositions he wrote over the years. Even if Austria was concentrated on the music, he couldn’t help but still think of the beautiful Hungary behind him, clinging to his back. He had to admit, he found it surprising how much something has simple as music had been able to make her look healthy. The human mind is a powerful force, he thought as he continued to play the medley for his beautiful lover behind him.

[Hungary]

“Dear, I’ll continue playing if you promise to sing alongside my playing once you recover from your sickness.”

She smiles with a soft chuckle "It's a deal...but that means you'll have to visit more often darling." She continued to hum along with his compositions, each medley seeming more lively then the last, or maybe that was just her spirits being uplifted as the music continued. She transitioned along with him easily as she had done many times in the past. Their song wove together like their souls, a perfect pair weaving their love together in an endless melody. She couldn't help but blush a bit at the thought of it.

She was drawn to memories of their past. Days spent like this at his piano, watching his fingers dance effortlessly over the keys as she serenaded him in her native tongue. She felt her eyes mist at the treasured memory. A reminder of the wonderful life they had shared together as husband and wife. She had always declared those fifty-one years the best of her life though it had been such a small chunk in her long life time. Still such a great part of her even now. Years of such peace spent with her lover, now long gone. Unable to ever join their hands in marriage again.

Yet there was still hope for them. They still worked to be together, to forge new memories, neither had been willing to move on, both still clinging to that life long past.

She realized she had begun crying. She leaned back to wipe at her eyes, a little embarrassed. She just couldn't seem to stop crying it seemed. It was the second time since he had arrived, but she couldn't help but feel so emotional.

[Austria]

"It's a deal...but that means you'll have to visit more often darling."

He remains quiet for a moment since he didn’t wait for her to answer before starting to play “I’d be more than happy to oblige, Eliza.” he finally answers after a moment of music. It was quite hard to have a conversation while playing the violin, or any instruments for that matter, and so silence returned between the couple except for the sound of his instrument. Once more, the couple was lost in the music, his melody and her humming in a perfect mix that only the two of them could ever hear. It was something only they could have while they were together, something that they would never be able to find elsewhere. Honestly, Austria was quite content with that.

However, the beautiful melody made him slowly drift into nostalgia. He can see Elizaveta surrounded by the many blooming flowers of the gardens of his home. Clad in her traditional dress, she sings in her native tongue that, dare he say, sounds a thousand times more beautiful than German. As he listens to her wonderful voice, he slowly makes his way to her, the same violin in his hands that he has right now. Roderich quickly notices how similar the moment they were experiencing right now with the one he just recalled.

Just as he slowly snapped out of his absent-minded nostalgia, he suddenly feels her sniffling against her back. At first, he doesn’t truly notice as his mind is still somewhat concentrated on the melody. However, he finally realises that her dearest Elizaveta was indeed crying when she leans off his back. Suddenly struck by panic, he suddenly interrupts the melody and gently puts down the violin on her bed. He quickly turned around to face his lover. When he finally gets over the fact that Hungary, of all people, was crying, he desperately searches his pocket for a handkerchief. Unable to find one, he looks down at his cravat for a second before leaning over her, wiping her tears off with his neckwear. However, he frowned as he noticed that her crying wasn’t stopping. Gently, one of his hands reached up to caress her cheek, the other wrapping itself around her waist before leaning towards her until their lips met. The hand around her waist pulled her slightly closer to him as he kissed her lips sweetly.

Although he though the kiss would make her feel better, he suddenly feels his own tears sliding down his cheeks slowly. It was quite hard for the two of them to live apart like this. They both longed for each other so much and when they finally were together like this, the emotions would be too strong for them to handle and a similar scene would happen every time. They needed to find a better solution than seeing each other once or twice every few months. Roderich was emotionally strong but his mind wasn’t invincible. It was only a matter of time before it would lose to his emotions. For now, though, he tried his best to focus of the passion the kiss brought them, trying his best to ignore his tears while hoping that her own would disappear.

---

[Hungary]

She gasped softly in surprise as the music abruptly stopped, moving into a sitting position as Roderich turned to her, setting his violin aside. "I'm sorry dear..." she stammered "I just..." she pauses with a sniffle as she observes him rummaging through his pockets, her wet green eyes curious as he searched. "Dear?"

Not seeming to find what he was looking for, he grabbed his cravat and pulled her in gently. She watched him with a stunned expression as he began to brush her tears away with the cloth "Roderich..." she murmured as he dabbed at her tear stained cheeks, though they kept flowing regardless. "I'm sorry..." she sniffled again, she was just so overwhelmed with her emotions her body just wouldn't give. She stiffened slightly as she felt him wrap an arm around her waist, blinking at the sudden warmth of his hand against her cheek, letting herself be pulled in against his frame.

She then felt his lips, and almost immediately she sunk into his embrace, her hands weekly grasping his jacket as she returned his kiss with months of pent up yearning for her lover. She shuddered as she felt the flow of his own tears, her heart sinking even more into this tear filled reunion.

"Oh Roderich..." she sniffled, "We're both a mess...." she began but was cut off as his kiss turned more passionate, she felt his own longing through his lips, their grip on each other nearly desperate as if the thought of letting each other go would lose them to each other completely.

She gently pulled away after a few moments, wiping at his dampened cheeks "I'm sorry darling....I've made you cry...." she murmured as she brushed stray bangs back from his brow. "This should be a happy moment for us..." She held his violet gaze, gently biting her bottom lip. She reached over towards the nightstand where the nurse had left her tissues from before and she handed him one "Look at us Roderich..." she managed a faint smile "Great Nations we are hmmm?" she teased lightly, trying to brighten the mood from the melancholic feel that had seemed to seep in earlier.

[Austria]

The Austrian kept her body close to his, pulling her as close as he could against him. To be able to feel Elizaveta’s body so close to his and to have her in his tight hold felt great despite the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He also felt her hands clinging to his jacket, and he couldn’t help but find that surprising. It wasn’t something she did often, as if it made her look weak. However, it only made Roderich tighten his grip around her in his usual protective manner. He couldn’t help it; despite her strength, he always felt like he was her protector: He had saved her from the Turk, and he tried to keep her safe from the threats around her. In the end, however, he failed. Ignoring the many times he had failed her before that, he never forgave himself for the last failure, and they were forced apart because of it. Even after almost a century since then, the guilt never disappeared. Now that she was back in his arms, clinging to him as they desperately gave in to their temptations, he didn’t want to let her go, as usual.

He let out a disappointed whine when she pulled away as he didn’t feel as much of her comforting warmth anymore. "I'm sorry darling....I've made you cry...."

He quickly shook his head, then looked away to his side, feeling shameful of his tears and his reaction as she played with his hair and tried to wipe his tears away. “No need to apologize for that…” he mumbled in reply. He still refused to sob, making his throat hurt quite a bit.

"This should be a happy moment for us..."

He sniffled, trying to prove that he wasn’t crying despite everything. “Well, it can’t be helped. Considering how little we see each other nowadays,” he paused, sniffling again, “…It hurts.” He murmured at the end.

After a moment of silence, she reached for a box of tissue that laid on her nightstand, which made Roderich feel pretty silly after having stained his cravat for nothing. He took the tissue she handed to him and wiped the remaining tears off his cheeks.

"Look at us Roderich... Great Nations we are hmmm?" She teased him, and he couldn’t help but chuckle despite the heavy atmosphere that had settled in.

Austria couldn’t find a proper response to that, and simply pulled her closer once more, hugging her tightly and tucking her head under his chin, holding her rather protectively once again. After a moment like this, one hand reached up to stroke her hair while still trying to keep his tight hold around her.

“Dearest…,” he began, finally breaking the silence, “We need to find a way to see each other more often. I don’t think I can stand this much longer. It’s just so painful, dear… I miss you so much…” His voice had slowly turned into mumbling by the end of his statement. It honestly felt a little weird; it wasn’t often that he could say these things at all nowadays. Still, he missed her greatly in the terribly long moments between their visits. It was psychologically exhausting after twenty years, and that was after around 45 years of near-complete isolation from each other. It was certainly better than those years, quite obviously, but now that they had the possibility to be together now, but still be apart so often… it was painful. Both knew they couldn’t return to their years of marriage, as much as they both wished for that. Roderich still hoped that they could find a solution. They had overcome much worse in the past: They should be able to overcome this as well, right?

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Oh geez, I'm so sorry for taking so long and I'm sorry if it's crap...